The new series of Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model started last night and the bitching has already begun. Add to that new judges, an exotic location and a photoshoot plus two contestants leave before the its even begun. We’re hoping this will be the best series yet.
Host Elle Macpherson and judge Julien Macdonald were joined by new judging recruits, top male model Tyson Beckford and reality star turned designer Whitney Port.
Twenty girls were selected from auditions across the country and were seen to be competing on the catwalk for a place in the main show and contest. All the girls were surprised to be whisked off to Dubai for a photoshoot before they will be whittled down by the judges to the lucky 14 girls who will make it into the Top Model house.
Macdonald said, ”I think this is the best selection of young girls we’ve ever had. They are energetic and they capture the essence of the look at the moment and of what is going on in fashion, youth culture and modelling. I don’t know who will win but I think they will be the best winner we’ve had, with the most potential.”
It isn’t long in the show before the cattiness begins with the girls singling out Madeline as having an attitude before she is shown to be having an argument with Anita while Penelope looked on.
Cue a swimsuit photoshoot where the girls had to pose in a group while being mentored by both judges Beckford and Port. Again, Madeline was singled out, this time by the judges, who pointed out that she had a bit of an attitude and had to have a “positive attitude” and not bring any “excess baggage” to the set.
If you’ve watched any previous series of the show, you will know that though they don’t win, girls with attitude make for great TV and also rile up all the other contestants so they’re bound to be keeping Madeline in for a good few weeks yet. We’re betting that she’ll make it to the house stages.
Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model is a British version of the American show, both of which I always watch, however the edge has always been to the American one. The judges were always better, the guest judges were always better, and the contestants were always better and the makeovers were always better.
However it looks like the BINTM producers are after some of that action and the overhaul is the bid to do this.
Macpherson herself admits that she has to keep freshening up the show to keep viewers interested. So much so that this also extends to the judges. Macdonald says that, “After the last series Elle told me I was fat. She said, ‘You’ve put weight on.’ She was right. So I said, ‘Elle, I’m going on a diet for the next show, don’t worry.’ I said I was fat and happy but that I’d like to be slimmer and happier. I hired a nutritionist and a personal trainer four times a week, burning 1,500 calories every session. Elle gave me advice and, being a nosey parker, I copied her healthy lifestyle as she eats no processed food and has lots of fresh fish and juices, even if she does have a guilty thing for organic chocolate. I wasn’t allowed any cakes or even alcohol for four months.”
Hopefully the new judging panel will be a hit after all, Macdonald has his designer credentials and was was named British Fashion Designer of the Year in 2001 as well as being appointed as successor to AlexanderMcQueen. Beckford is of course one of the world’s most famous supermodels and as well as this, he is adored by all the contestants for his good looks. Port meanwhile, is well loved by fans of The Hills and The City as well as being a good role model to younger girls. She’s young and beautiful while also being true LA born and bred and the contestants aspire to her lifestyle.
As a fan of The Hills and The City; to be honest, I’ll be watching it just to check out what Whitney’s wearing every week. Plus, as usual, can’t wait for the makeover episode.
What do you think, will you be watching and what are your thoughts on last night’s episode?
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